**SENTENCING Part 4** Spencer Pearson Plead Guilty to Stabbing Ex Girlfriend & 2 others

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Spencer Pearson grew up in Keller, Texas, with his parents, Daniel and Tanya Pearson, and his two brothers and sister. From the age of six, Spencer was active in sports, including tackle football. However, in third grade, his teacher informed his parents that Spencer suffered from anxiety, which would continue to affect him throughout his life. Despite his challenges, Spencer played football all through middle and high school, where he took several hard hits to the head, possibly worsening his anxiety.
In high school, Spencer's anxiety intensified. Although he was part of the football team, he often felt like an outcast, struggling with low self-esteem and social anxiety. He believed he didn’t meet others' expectations and saw himself as an underachiever. Spencer was always close to his father, who described him as having a peaceful, docile yet avoidant personality. His mother saw him as sweet and caring, despite his introversion and anxiety.
Spencer had been in a few adolescent relationships, but nothing serious until he met Madison Schmitz. They began dating on October 4, 2022. Spencer felt that their relationship gave him purpose and motivated him to take better care of himself and focus on his studies. He enjoyed spending time with Madison, although large social settings made him uncomfortable. However, insecurities and emotional struggles led to issues in their relationship, and in April 2023, Madison ended things, feeling the relationship had become exhausting. The breakup hit Spencer hard, leaving him feeling lost and disconnected from his identity, as well as his friend group. In the days following, Spencer spiraled into a deep depression.
During this time, Spencer’s parents noticed signs of paranoia and hypervigilance. He also had intense thoughts of ending his own life. His parents sought mental health support for him, but tragically, on April 2023, Spencer attempted suicide. He decided to go to the beach, contemplating how he would end his life. Fearing that his parents might find him if he overdosed, Spencer chose a more permanent method. Before heading to the beach, he stopped for a last meal at a restaurant, unaware that Madison and her mother, Jackie, were also there. When he saw Madison, an altercation ensued. Spencer, who had been stalking and harassing Madison, then attacked her, stabbing her approximately 15 times, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. Jackie, Madison’s mother, tried to intervene and was also stabbed. Kennedy Armstrong, a third victim, was injured while attempting to help, suffering serious hand injuries. Spencer then tried to slit his own throat in an attempt to end his life. He continued to attack Madison, stabbing her about 15 more times before police arrived and apprehended him.